TN govt orders closure of Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday issued a Government Order, directing the state Pollution Control Board to seal the Vedanta group’s copper plant and close it down “permanently” following last week’s violent protests during which 13 people were killed in police firing.

The Government Order (GO) said it endorsed the recent closure direction of the state pollution control board, and also asked it to “seal the unit and close the plant permanently”.

The order recalled how on May 23 the board had issued directions for closure of the unit and disconnection of power supply to it. The power supply was disconnected a day later. Chief minister K Palaniswami said the government has issued the GO in deference to the sentiments of the people. The locals were protesting for the closure of the factory for 99 days. Protesters turned violent on May 22, the 100th day of their stir, and 13 people were killed in police action against them last Tuesday and Wednesday.

Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam visited the hospital in Thoothukudi and inquired about the health of those injured in the police firing on Monday. He spoke to reporters in Thoothukudi and said that compensation to the injured were being paid. Internet connectivity has also resumed on Sunday after it was suspended on May 23.

THOOTHUKUDI:

APEX COURT REFUSED TO URGENTLY HEAR PLEA

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to urgently hear a plea seeking direction to TN government to file a status report on its efforts to control arsenic and cadmium pollution in the ground water around the Sterlite Copper’s plant at Tuticorin.

NEWDELHI: